Visualization

I sit here at 10:57 on a Friday night wearing my Grumpy pajamas with my kick ass white Skull Candy headphones on typing on my MacBook on a dining room table full of books, portfolios and report cards.  The sounds of flamenco guitar are flowing to my ears and I'm drinking a beer dammit because I deserve one.  13 down, 10 to go.  

On Monday I will begin a unit of study in Reader's Workshop looking at author's craft.  The first craft technique we will examine is visualization.  We will look at how an author can portray an image with just words.  We will analyze word choice and imagery.  So right now, I am using visualization to get me through the next 48 hours.  No, let's face it the next week.  I told two of my team members today what I was thinking about for next year.  They were stunned and saddened.  I don't know what to do.  You know what, right now is not the time to decide.  I just know that I cannot wake up every morning feeling nauseated for much longer.  I love what I do.  I love my kids.  But I love my real kids more and I'm sensing that, I don't know what I'm sensing.  Something to think about when I run 15 miles on Sunday.  

Back to visualization.  I am someone who needs tangible goals.  Something to get me through challenging times.  During the marathon, I visualize the next mile marker.  I visualize the Citgo sign.  I visualize turning on Hereford Street.  I visualize that finish line.  So what's popping in my OMG it's Mexican Spice coiffed head right now?

Isabel Bayon.

One week from tonight, Friday the 13th (I love that day), I will be going with an old friend and some new I have never met friends (well, he's actually not older than me but I just have to share this; last night at Marchese's this guy I had met for like 3 minutes asks me out of the blue, "Can I ask you how old you are?"  I was in so much pain from John digging his fingers into my hip that I told him, "37."  John then says, "Isn't it cool that she looks ten years younger.  She looks 27."  Oh, Marchese you are my new favorite chiropractor, Dr. Morgan who?)  Anyways we are going to The Flamenco Festival at Emerson College.  We went last year and though I may have nodded my head once because excuse me I had run 18 miles that morning, I loved every minute of it.  The passion, focus and fire that one must have to execute the delicate yet forceful movements is an art.  I'm excited because we're going with some out of towners and you know what a foodie I am, where or where to take them to dinner?  It's got to be a place with carbs because of course I have to run 16 miles the next morning.  I was promised Finale afterwards which is so weird because today Pete and I were talking about Finale. And Aquaman just did the kitchen at Finale.  And did my dear husband bring me back any carrot cake?  No!

My next visualization is where I will be in 9 days.  On the beach in Puerto Rico.

I can taste my beverage with the umbrella now.  

Speaking of Puerto Rico, if I can write 5 report cards tomorrow before 5:00, I may take the kids to see my favorite Puerto Rican hurdler compete at The Boston Indoor Games.  But let's get real here, I'll probably end up watching it on ESPN the next day.  And let's not forget The Grammys on Sunday night.  If Radiohead wins, I will give the biggest girl scream ever.  Might even foam at the mouth and breakdance on the floor.

Midget breakdancing?  Hmm...............